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Florida-LSU Preview

LSU's offense appears to be one of the best in school history,
but the Tigers haven't run into a defense quite like Florida's.

Tenth-ranked LSU seeks its 28th win in 29 home games Saturday as
its high-powered offense squares off with the stingy defense of the
No. 17 Gators.

The Tigers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) have mostly cruised behind their
offense, with the only blemish a 44-41 loss at then-No. 9 Georgia
on Sept. 28. They come off last Saturday's 59-26 win at Mississippi
State in which they tallied 563 total yards and 28 fourth-quarter
points. The total points were their most in an SEC game since a
63-28 victory at Kentucky on Nov. 1, 1997.

LSU has topped 400 yards in each of its first six games and
scored at least 35 points in each of its first six for the first
time in school history.

Les Miles' club averaged 374.2 yards and 29.8 points last year
to rank in the bottom half of the SEC with first-year starting
quarterback Zach Mettenberger at the helm. He's been a revelation
this season under first-year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron,
pushing those numbers to 488.8 and 45.5 this year. The scoring
average ranks ninth nationally.

Mettenberger's 190.1 passer ratings is the FBS' fourth-best, and
he's already thrown 15 touchdowns after totaling 12 last year. He's
completing 68.8 percent of his passes, leads the country with 35
passes for 20 yards or more and is on pace for single-season school
records for passing yards and TDs.

"Zach is playing just like we need him to play at home or on the
road," Miles said. "He is the leader. He is in charge of the
communication. Zach is one of those guys on the field who gives you
advantages not just with his arm, but with his mind."

Helping Mettenberger's cause have been receivers Odell Beckham
and Jarvis Landry, who are third and fourth in the SEC in receiving
yardage with 686 and 616 yards, respectively. Beckham is also
college football's leader in all-purpose yardage at 228.2 per
game.

Running back Jeremy Hill has also helped keep defenses honest by
averaging 118.8 rushing yards to rank second in the conference.

The offense hardly resembles the unit that was held to two field
goals, 200 yards and eight first downs in a 14-6 loss at then-No.
10 Florida last season. Still, LSU's gaudy numbers this year
haven't come against anything close to an elite defense. Three of
their opponents have ranked 96th or worst in team defense with
TCU's 34th-ranked unit providing the greatest challenge in a 37-27
season-opening win.

The competition improves significantly with the Gators (4-1,
3-0).

Florida allows 217.0 yards per game, second-fewest in the
country, while its 12.2 opponent scoring average is tied for the
FBS' fourth-lowest.

But the Gators haven't faced a high-octane offense either,
defeating Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas in conference play - the
SEC's three worst in terms of total offense.

They have recorded at least one takeaway in 16 straight games,
including three against LSU last season. Mettenberger was 11 for 25
for 158 yards with an interception and sacked four times

Vernon Hargreaves leads the Gators with three interceptions,
while five other players have tallied one each.

Florida's offense has been bolstered in three games with Tyler
Murphy under center after original starter Jeff Driskel's season
ended due to a broken leg suffered against the Volunteers on Sept.
21. Murphy has recorded a 181.5 passer rating compared to the 135.5
mark by Driskel, though he has yet to play in an environment like
Tiger Stadium, where LSU has won three of the last four
meetings.

The Tigers' lone home loss in their last 28 was to top-ranked
Alabama last year.

"I don't see him getting flustered," Florida offensive
coordinator Brent Pease said of Murphy. "He's demanding of himself.
He's demanding of what he wants from coaches, too. And he's
demanding from his teammates."

LSU's defense has been uncharacteristically vulnerable,
surrendering an average of 466.3 yards in conference play. However,
the Tigers held Mississippi State to just three second-half points
last week.

Florida leads all-time series 31-25-3, though they've split the
last 10 matchups.

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